Diploma in Commerce in Business Management (Curriculum 2020) The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) The purpose of The IIE Diploma in Commerce in Business Management is to develop the skills, knowledge and competence of graduates who aim to manage a small to medium business enterprise effectively and efficiently. This programme also provides graduates with the foundation for growth into management positions within larger business enterprises. Students will gain sufficient depth of knowledge, together with practical skills through Work Integrated Learning, to enable graduates to apply their learning in the workplace. The lack of adequate management and business management skills in South Africa is one of the contributors in the high failure rate in the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) arena. This qualification will provide a very important and essential skills set to support national efforts to equip prospective business managers and entrepreneurs to produce better economic results. The programme focuses on the financial, economic and business management aspects of commerce, but includes important business-related modules to ensure a balanced perspective of modern corporate business to inform the environment within which the graduates must operate and to ensure a well-rounded qualification.

What is this Diploma’s accreditation status? The IIE Diploma in Commerce in Business Management is accredited by the South African Council on Higher Education (CHE) and is registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a minimum 364-credit qualification on level 6 (SAQA ID: 84787). Who is this Diploma aimed at? If you are looking for an innovative introduction into managing a business, then this qualification is for you. If you are interested in managing your own business or becoming a manager in a corporate company, then choose this qualification. This IIE Diploma in Commerce in Business Management equips students with core business principles and management skills to be able to work in and manage a small to medium size enterprise. Students will acquire essential skills intended to enhance their own careers. They are also taught how to make a meaningful contribution to the strategic growth of any business or to one day manage their own business enterprises. What entry requirements will I need to study this Diploma?

Minimum Admission Requirements

English Notes

NSC: Diploma with 30% NC(V): Diploma pass with

40%

SC: Endorsement -none with

33.3%

SC(a): Diploma pass A minimum of 30% in LOLT in NSC/ SC(a) OR with a min. of 33.3% in SC International A SAQA Evaluation Certificate with NSC L4 equivalence with 30% or

equivalent in English. Alternatively, a Higher Certificate (or equivalent) or Advanced Certificate in a cognate field may satisfy the minimum admission requirements to diploma studies.

If discipline not cognate at least 20% of credits must be academic literacy or numeracy related

Senate Discretionary Admissions

Mature Age Exemption Candidates must have attempted the Senior Certificate or equivalent, attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration with three years’ work experience and proven ability relating to the proposed programme as well as adequate communication skills; OR Candidates must have attained the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Candidates must demonstrate suitability for admission in terms of Senate’s resolution 6.6 of 20 October 2005 which allows for Senate’s discretionary conditional admission (if applicable).

USAf approved cognate foundation programme

Candidates who have completed an USAf approved cognate foundation programme from a registered and accredited provider may be admitted.

Transfer students Candidates who have successfully completed at least 120 credits on the first year of a cognate 3- year diploma may be admitted. However, if a student completed less than 120 credits, the admission criteria on the NSC or equivalent or higher certificate or advanced certificate apply.

OQSF qualifications Candidates with an OQSF Level 5 cognate qualification may be admitted, provided the OQSF qualification has at least 120 credits at NQF Level 5.

General Education Development (GED) - An USA qualification developed by the American Council on Education (ACE)

Candidates with a GED qualification may be admitted if they have a SAQA Evaluation certificate with NSC L4 equivalence as well as A score of at least 38 for Academic Literacy (AL) and a score of at least 38 for Quantitative Literacy (QL).

What is The Teaching and Learning Strategy of The IIE’s Varsity College, and how will it help prepare me for the 21st century working world? At The IIE’s Varsity College we are proud of and passionate about our shift away from the ‘traditional lecturing’ methodology to our blended-learning strategy – the VCBlend. This blended-learning strategy extends learning beyond the confines of the classroom and creates opportunities for our students to work collaboratively, with peers and their educators, to construct their understanding of concepts. Student engagement is supported by the use of a learning management system (LMS) and the online learning materials that have been developed to underpin our teaching strategy. Due to the VCBlend approach, you will be expected to spend time conducting your own research, study for assessments and work on assignments. To gain the most from the blended learning experience, VC’s Wireless classrooms and campuses, students are required to BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) such as mobile devices, netbooks, laptops or tablets, etc. so as to develop the necessary academic and digital literacies over the three years of this diploma. This student-focused approach compels our students to be accountable for their learning while developing the critical skills they will need to thrive in the rapidly changing 21st century work environment. As such, academic life for our students is dynamic, challenging and relevant. How is this Diploma structured at The IIE’s Varsity College? The IIE Diploma in Commerce in Business Management is a three-year diploma. The academic year runs from February to November. The modules are delivered on a full-time basis with lectures and tutorials being scheduled during the day from Monday to Friday. Please note that in line with academic practice, The IIE’s curriculum is reviewed annually thus changes may occur in module structure and sequence in order to ensure that the qualification remains relevant. The exit level outcomes of the programme do not change. Registered students receive an updated programme curriculum on an annual basis.

What will I study in this Diploma? CURRICULUM – FOR STUDENTS STARTING IN 2020 YEAR 1

1st Semester NQF Level

Credit value 2nd Semester NQF

Level Credit value

Accounting 1A ACCT5111 5 15 Accounting 1B

ACCT5112 5 15

Business Management 1A BUSM5111 5 15 Business Management 1B

BUSM5112 5 15

Digital and Academic Literacies DIAL5111 5 15

Human Resource Management HURM5122

5 15

Introduction to Quantitative Thinking and Techniques

IQTT5111 5 15

Introduction to Marketing Theory and Practice

MAKT5112 5 15

The following prerequisites apply: ACCT5111 is a pre-requisite for ACCT5112 The following co-requisites apply: There are no co-requisites for first year YEAR 2

1st Semester NQF Level

Credit value 2nd Semester NQF

Level Credit value

Business Management 2A BUSM6211

6 15 Business Management 2B BUSM6212

6 15

Economics A (Micro) ECMS5111

5 15 Economics B (Macro) ECMS5112

5 15

Financial Management 2A FIMA6221

6 15 Financial Management 2B FIMA6222

6 15

Project Management PRMA6211

6 15 Work Integrated Learning 2 XCBM5219

5 15

The following prerequisites apply: There are no pre-requisites for second year The following co-requisites apply: ACCT5112 is a co-requisite for FIMA6221 ECMS5111 is a co-requisite for ECMS5112 FIMA6221 is a co-requisite for FIMA6222

YEAR 3

1st Semester NQF Level

Credit value 2nd Semester NQF

Level Credit value

Business Management 3A BUSM7311 7 15 Business Management 3B

BUSM7312 7 15

Financial Management 3A FIMA7321 7 15 Financial Management 3B

FIMA7322 6 15

Industrial Relations INRE6322 6 15 Commercial Law

COML6311 7 15

Risk Management RIMA6322 6 15 Work Integrated Learning 3

XCBM6319 6 15

The following prerequisites apply: There are no prerequisites applicable for third year The following co-requisites apply: BUSM6212 is a co-requisite for BUSM7311 FIMA6222 is a co-requisite for FIMA7321 BUSM7311 is a co-requisite for BUSM7312 FIMA7321 is a co-requisite for FIMA7322 What about timetables? Our full-time programmes are aimed at students wishing to dedicate themselves to full-time face-to-face studies for the duration of their qualification. This means that students are expected to be available throughout the day for class in the academic year depending on how the timetable is structured. Students may also be required to write assessments or submit coursework or assignments outside of normal class-time. Students must understand that timetables remain subject to change throughout the year. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that timetable structures will remain the same during each year of your studies with us. In addition, where students are repeating modules, these modules may be offered in the evenings or on weekends. Students are required to attend classes in order to remain up to date with the academic programme. Students who would like to pursue part time employment opportunities outside of the academic programme must prioritise their studies and avoid committing to work schedules until after they have received their timetables and academic calendar from the institution. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) The Work Integrated Learning activities ensure that all the key elements in the programme are linked together by requiring the incorporation of various elements of the programme to successfully complete projects. Students must complete the Work Integrated Learning component to achieve the graduate requirements of this programme. What must I pass in order to graduate with this Diploma? To be awarded this qualification, you must have achieved a minimum final year mark of fifty percent (50%) for each module of the programme; and have met all the Work Integrated Learning requirements, where applicable.

How long do I have to complete this qualification? Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this qualification. With what qualification will I graduate? You will graduate with The IIE Diploma in Commerce in Business Management Career opportunities: what careers areas can I pursue after I have completed this Diploma? This Diploma will help address the national skills shortage and graduates will be equipped to take up positions as: • Office administrators or managers • Managers (variety of positions) • Business managers or trainee business managers • Entrepreneurs In addition, it provides students access to higher education and to graduates of the programme an opportunity to further studies in finance, marketing or business. Websites for you to visit: www.iie.ac.za www.bizcommunity.com www.businessreport.co.za Call your nearest IIE’s Varsity College campus to discuss your career options with one of our Student Advisors. DMG 2020 V1 31 OCTOBER 2019 Disclaimer: Please note that this fact sheet is accurate at the time of publication. The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) reserves the right to alter any of the content prior to commencement of registration due to changes in regulation, policy, market requirements or any other valid reason.

British Accreditation Council The IIE is not only accredited in South Africa but its dedication to providing quality education also led to it being accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) in 2014. The British Accreditation Council is an independent authority in the United Kingdom that accredits private providers globally, including Greece, Switzerland, Singapore, India, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates. In 2017 The IIE had its accreditation status confirmed by the BAC as an Independent Higher Education Institution confirming our confidence in the international comparability of our standards. “South African students need to know, when they select a private higher education institution,

that the standards offered are equivalent to those of a public University. Our students get this from our extensive local accreditation and registration. The students also benefit from knowing that we meet international standards too. The IIE is accredited as an Independent Higher Education Institution by the British Accreditation Council. Locally and internationally we have demonstrated the quality of what we offer,” said Dr Coughlan, Director, The Independent Institute of Education. The IIE’s Varsity College students can be confident that their IIE learning experience meets international best practice standards.